Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s stance reflects the gap in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and the scale of the effort needed to overcome the deadlock, Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou said on Friday. Speaking at the event “Memories of Occupied Land”, Antoniou said Erdogan’s dismissive treatment of President Nikos Christodoulides in Antalya, in the presence of the UN secretary-general, “diminishes him”. It does not change the fact, he added, that the international community recognises the president as head of the only internationally recognised state in Cyprus, a member of the UN and the European Union.
Ready for a trilateral meeting
Antoniou said that despite the problems and obstacles, the government remains committed to creating the conditions for resuming negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, respecting the negotiating acquis, EU principles and values, and EU law. The president is ready to attend a trilateral meeting under the UN secretary-general, with the aim of a decision to convene a new expanded conference on the Cyprus problem at which the resumption of negotiations would be announced, he said. He repeated that the goal is for the Republic of Cyprus to evolve into a European state without occupation troops and without the anachronistic system of guarantees and intervention rights. Such a state, he said, should give all its lawful residents, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, the right to live, work and thrive in conditions of security and prosperity.
Antoniou also said that despite Turkey’s enormous efforts, the regime in the north remains an illegal entity with no standing in the global political, legal or economic system. The Republic of Cyprus, he added, is making use of its EU membership and the partnerships it has developed with European and third countries. In this complex international environment, he said, it is important to understand, without fear, that the Republic of Cyprus remains the refuge of the people and both the shield and the spear in the struggle to end the Turkish occupation.
Support for displaced communities
Antoniou said the government stands by refugee municipalities and communities, with the grant for occupied local authorities in 2027 increased to €5.3 million. The government is also implementing two initiatives to support occupied municipalities and communities, the new NOSTOS grant scheme and a programme supporting their periodical publications. A total of €85.7 million has been set aside in 2027 for refugee housing policy, with overall funding for 2027–2029 amounting to €245.3 million.
Source: CNA
